In chapters one and two of C.J Pascoe’s book I feel we are introduced to gender and sexuality norms throughout the play at River High. In chapter one the play conducted by the student’s we begin to see what is normal and what would be deemed as not socially excepted behavior by these teenagers based on the way they applauded. For instance, when the two boys Brent and Craig exposed red skirts after ripping off their pants. In reference to the way in which the crowd found this to be a humors matter tells us how femininity can be linked to clothing and is found humorous when on the male body due to its emasculating manor. Interestingly enough in contrast to this when the female gym teacher demonstrated her masculinity by lifting up weights she was cheered for in a manor in which showed acceptance although she was female. (Pascoe 4) I found this interesting because it was able to show how any demonstration of masculinity can be deemed an act of power. Where as any act of femininity is deemed weak. To go back to the play at River High, skirts for example seem to demonstrate a characteristic of weakness. I found this somewhat shocking due to the fact that I’ve lived in places that a male wearing a skirt was not deemed emasculating in any way, due to the fact that gender was not used synonymously with ones sex. But specifically the norms at River High seem to be not only enforced by peers but by teachers and faculty as well. For instance, when Pascoe was trying to conduct her research and was given push back for questions concerning both gender and sexuality. It is evident that even through the play, that these norms were deemed acceptable through study body and staff for it to have have happened without having a conversation about these norms. ( Pascoe 29)
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